The PlayStation 5 Pro is set to launch with a starting price of $700. If you want the complete package, which includes the drive and stand, the cost can rise to $850. While Sony describes the console as a "complete package for dedicated gamers," many fans consider the price to be too high. This has led to a perception that the company is making another mistake.
Horizon: Zero Dawn's Price Increase
Horizon: Zero Dawn is an open-world action role-playing game where players take on the role of Aloy, a hunter navigating a post-apocalyptic world filled with machine creatures. Originally released for the PlayStation 4 in 2017, it later joined the "PlayStation Hit" list, which features popular titles at a lower price of $20. However, the price has now been raised to $40 without any prior announcement. The increase seems to coincide with the upcoming release of the Horizon: Zero Dawn Remaster.
Starting October 31, 2024, anyone who already owns the game can upgrade to the remastered version for just $10. By raising the price now, Sony appears to be trying to deter players from buying the less expensive version and then upgrading later. With the current game priced at $40 and the upgrade costing $10, the total comes to $50, which is the same as the price for the remastered version. This means that early buyers will not benefit from any cost savings.
Mixed Reactions on Reddit
On Reddit, opinions about this pricing strategy are mixed. Some users express understanding, suggesting that Sony's approach is reasonable:
[...] Anyone could buy the game for $20, get the upgrade for $10, and end up with a PS5 version. They would essentially lose $20 to anyone with basic brain cells. EVERY company would do that, so why is anyone surprised?
It’s important to note that Sony offered the game for free during the pandemic as part of the "Play at Home" initiative, which means many players may already have it on their consoles. However, critics argue that Sony is engaging in price gouging and unnecessary remastering, especially considering the game is only seven years old and still runs well on current systems.
